Progressive Wednesday

Replace

There are many things in your house that contribute to not only greater energy use, but higher energy bills, and they are easy and cheap to fix.  Here's a helpful little list of items that can be replaced in your home that are an inexpensive initial investment and save a lot of money and energy in the longer run.

1.  Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

If you read our post on February 19, then you'll have to forgive our redundancy, but this is that important.  Those light bulbs that you've had in your house since Edison won his patent in court are wasting up to 95% of the energy they use in the form of heat.  Replace them with compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs.  They're the spiral-shaped ones that are on the shelf right next to the incandescents.  These lights use about one-fifth of the electricity to give off the same amount of light, are much cooler when lit, and last up to ten times longer.  When it's all added up, you save an average of $30 over the life of each bulb.  If you have ten bulbs in your house– ¦ you get the idea.  You can find a local dealer here, or pick them up at most local hardware or even grocery stores.

2.  Air Filter

You've probably heard about the CFLs before, but here's a bit o'savings that might have slipped through the pleated woven fiberglass media.  Heating and cooling accounts for nearly half of the energy used in the home and a dirty air filter can seriously slow down airflow. This makes your system work harder to do the same thing.  Energystar.gov recommends that you check your filter monthly and replace as necessary, but at least once every three months.  Plus, isn't it great to breathe in clean air.

3.  Insulation

Get out that ladder and climb into the attic.  What does that insulation say?  Chances are it doesn't have a high enough R-rating and heat (money) is escaping all the time.  Do you get icicle buildup every winter?  That's why.  Replacing insulation can be a bit tricky so here's a list of reputable contractors that can help.  Can't afford it?  Not so fast.  Insulation usually pays for itself in a few years plus there are new tax incentives for adding the proper insulation to new or existing homes.  Check it out here.

4.  Household Appliances

Go out and buy all new energy efficient appliances.  Go ahead.  Okay, maybe that's not within your grasp right now but we hope to have raised your eyebrows enough that next time you're in the market for a new refrigerator you'll look for the EnergyStar label.